This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Propolis Extract to brighten dull-looking skin and calm redness.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arginine, Carbomer, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glutathione, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPolyglycerin-6
HumectantJojoba Esters
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAdipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingFibroin
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingPinene
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Polyglycerin-6, Jojoba Esters, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycoproteins, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trehalose, Arginine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Isododecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Xylitol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Lauryl Dimethicone, Polyglutamic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Fibroin, Benzoic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Copper Gluconate, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Pinene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
